How to Change Your Password in Windows 11

Changing Your Password (If You Remember It)

If you remember your current Windows 11 password, changing it is a simple process through your account settings.

1. ⚙️ Open Settings by clicking the ⊞ Start menu (the Windows icon at the bottom left) and select Settings. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to ⚙️ open Settings quickly.
2. In Settings, click Accounts from the left menu.
3. Then click Sign-in options on the right side.
4. Under “Ways to sign in,” find the Password section and click Change.
5. Follow the instructions: enter your current password, then type a new password twice.
6. Click Finish or Submit, and your password will be updated.

Here is what the Sign-in options screen looks like:

Resetting Your Password (If You Forgot It)

Forgot your Windows 11 password? You can reset it. The exact password reset steps differ based on whether you sign in with a Microsoft account or a local account. Microsoft account resets typically involve an online verification process.

If You Use a Microsoft Account

If you forget your Windows 11 password and use a Microsoft account, you can reset it online through the Microsoft account recovery page. This helps you regain access to your computer.

1. Go to the Microsoft Account Password Reset page.
2. Follow the instructions to verify your identity and create a new password.
3. Use your new password to sign in to Windows 11.

If You Use a Local Account

Forgetting your Windows 11 local account password can be fixed using the security questions you set up.

1. On the login screen, enter any password you think might work.
2. If it’s wrong, click the Reset password link below the password box.
3. Answer the security questions you set up when creating your account.
4. Enter a new password and confirm it.
5. Sign in with your new password.

Example of the Reset password link on the login screen:

Answer the security questions you set up when you created your account:

What If You Can’t Reset Your Password?

If you’re stuck – you can’t remember your password, can’t answer your security questions, and couldn’t reset your Microsoft account online – your last resort is to reset your entire computer.

How to Reset Your PC

Resetting your Windows 11 PC is a final option if you can’t access your account and other password resets don’t work. This action will delete all your files and apps.

1. On the login screen, click the Power button (bottom-right corner).
2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, then click Restart.
3. When the blue screen appears, click Troubleshoot.
4. Select Reset this PC.
5. Choose Remove Everything to erase all data and reset Windows.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

Summary

• Change your password anytime from ⚙️ Windows Settings if you know your current password.
• If you forget your password, reset it using security questions (local account) or Microsoft’s online tools (Microsoft account).
• Always keep your security questions and account info updated to avoid problems.
• If everything else fails, reset your PC—but remember this deletes everything!
• Keeping your password safe and up-to-date helps protect your computer and personal data.